It takes practice for Bulls to get on same page

Thibodeau and Rose believe team can get its aggressive act together with some solid work

November 04, 2013|By K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune reporter

Speaking as the last player off the Berto Center floor after Monday's three-hour practice, Derrick Rose offered this observation of the Bulls' underwhelming 1-2 start.

"It's only three games," Rose said. "Everybody I guess is looking at it like it's 30 games in because of the expectations of this year. We're going to be fine."

Speaking before Rose, Thibodeau offered this take.

"I want to get away from the notion that we'll be OK, that we have a lot of time," Thibodeau said. "That's not the mentality you can have if you want to be a good team. You have to correct things immediately."

It can be fun to parse words, but don't fear any disconnect between hard-driving star player and hard-driving coach. First of all, as previously mentioned, Rose offered his take as the last player working on his game, a full 40 minutes after the three-hour practice ended.

Plus, there's this: "We have to be more aggressive on both sides of the ball," Rose said.

The Bulls got on the same page, got down and dirty, got any cliche you want to offer during the loud and sweaty session, which featured one hour of film and even the rare Thibodeau scrimmage in the two hours on the court. The only exhaling that occurred came via panting for breath during the demanding session.

"The effort was good and the concentration was good," Thibodeau said.

Most players even had come in on the Bulls' off day Sunday to review film and get in individual work.

Thibodeau has been hammering home the theme of needing everybody to practice after a disjointed training camp featuring injuries to Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler and Kirk Hinrich. He got his wish Monday. Another practice and shootaround remain before Wednesday's road showdown against the rival Pacers.

"If we don't come out with the same aggression like we do in practice, we're going to get our butts whipped," Rose said. "They've been playing great basketball."

The Bulls have not, which is why even Thibodeau looked fired up in post-practice comments to reporters.

"You have to put the work into it," he said. "You can't hope it to happen. You have to make it happen. And we need everybody doing it. We can't rely on a certain two or three guys to do everything. Our entire team is needed. This isn't a Derrick issue. This is a team issue. And we have to correct it."

Thibodeau did praise the Bulls' ball movement, execution of playing inside-out offensively and unselfishness. He said the fast-break points are fine. The 3-point shooting, at just 23.2 percent, is not.

"We need to bring that aggression to both sides," he said. "On offense, if they're overplaying, we have to make sure we're looking at the basket. Defensively, it's really picking up people fullcourt, pressuring the ball and making it hard on every possession."

Layups: After attempting double-digit free throws in five straight exhibitions, Rose has attempted just 10 free throws in three games, sinking nine. "I don't know of anyone who drives as hard as he does, nor as fast as he does," Thibodeau said. "And I think sometimes he's penalized for being a nice guy. I'll leave it at that." Rose vowed to keep attacking the rim. … Mike Dunleavy is shooting 33.3 percent, but Thibodeau praised his game against the 76ers. "His shots were good," Thibodeau said. "His decisions were good. His screening was great. That's a good sign. He'll find his rhythm. He's still learning."